Should the PGA Tour wait until AFTER the Super Bowl? Billy Horschel makes the case.
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Billy Horschel joins Trey Wingo for a wide-ranging and honest conversation about the future of the PGA Tour, the changing golf landscape, and the debate surrounding THE PLAYERS Championship as a potential fifth major.
We start with a big question:
Should the PGA Tour season begin after the Super Bowl?
Billy explains why golf’s nearly year-round schedule may be working against itself — and why a true offseason could strengthen the Tour’s product, improve viewership, and better compete with the NFL. With PGA Tour ratings surging during peak windows and dipping during football season, is it time for a reset?
We also dive into:
• The PGA Tour schedule changes and potential reduction in events
• Why Hawaii events may be on the chopping block
• The impact of football season on golf ratings
• WM Phoenix Open fan behavior and tournament adjustments
• LIV Golf players returning to the PGA Tour
• Brooks Koepka’s comeback and the reintegration process
• Patrick Reed’s pathway back
• Saudi PIF’s role in global sports and the future of LIV
• The evolving power dynamics in professional golf
Then we get to the conversation that has the golf world buzzing:
Is THE PLAYERS Championship a major?
Billy makes the case. He explains why THE PLAYERS, played at TPC Sawgrass, has the strongest field in golf outside the traditional four majors — The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
He says if he wins THE PLAYERS, he would personally consider it a major.
We break down:
• What defines a major championship
• Who decides what counts as a major
• The historical shift in golf’s major structure
• Whether perception alone can elevate an event
• Why the PGA Tour might want THE PLAYERS viewed differently
Billy also opens up about which major means the most to him — and why lifting the Claret Jug at The Open Championship would be the ultimate career moment.
This isn’t a shouting match. It’s not clickbait. It’s an informed discussion about business strategy, tradition vs. evolution, and where professional golf is headed.
If you care about the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, THE PLAYERS Championship, and the future of the game — this conversation matters.
These are straight facts.
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10 Comments
We're tuning in, why do we have to watch a 2min preview that gives away your guests thoughts?
Kevin na! Lol
LONG LIV GOLF
Don’t leave Hawaii! Those are pre-season games that count!
Claiming that everyone sees the Players as the next big thing after the Majors … Pure American Exceptionalism . 🙄🤡🤦♀️ (Billy, to be fair, is a regular attendee at European Tour Events )
European players would take winning their National Opens and other National Opens , a priority unless they are more concerned about money , ahem, Rory McIlroy (always the drama about whether or not he turns up or is bothered about the Irish Open )
“Historically” 😂
If there was another Major , it should go to either the Australian (Jack Nicklaus won it multiple times ) or Canada Open , far more historic and previously far more prestigious than the Masters or the PGA Championship.
The Players should be THE Signature Event and should be held BEFORE The Masters. The event that rings out that the Season has truly started . The Players is only open to PGA Tour members so that ends the argument for Major contender .
If you "need" an off-season consider this. I'm a pretty big fan and I watch a lot between Pebble and the British. That's about 6 months that matter. Do whatever you want for the remaining 6.
If you have to justify & lobby for the Players Championship to be considered a major, then it isn't a major. As Trey said, no one ever sat down and agreed to assign which were golf's majors.
I like Billy Horschel, but this interview really exposed what his values and principals are. It's amazing to me that now he can say let's cut back pga tour events. If they cut back on the ridiculous amount of money that is possible to win today, and lets say they cut that in half, maybe I am not sure he would feel the same way.
What really turned me off was his belief that , if you had the card ,you should be eligible for all the events including the Opens. This is the standard feeling of entitlement that really upsets the masses. How about if Billy had not made a cut in the last 6 events that he played, or he was on the bottom of the money list or any of the stat's list. Do you think it's right that he has that exemption? Give the exemptions at the time, to the best players that have earned it and let the others compete for the privilege's to play in those two tournaments.
As far as I am concerned, ANY of these guys that come back from LIV golf and don't re-qualify to be on the PGA tour. Let them pound salt.
Go Canes!
If it is considered the fifth major. Do all previous winners getting credited as a major too? I believe all winners at TPC Sawgrass should get credited!